Book Review-Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

Author: J.K Rowling
Summary: HARRY POTTER has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't has a birthday party in eleven years. 

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

My Thoughts: I've been dying to write this review! I loved this book so much! The reason I didn't read it earlier: because I though it was a children's book. You know those boring ones like Famous Five and such. But I heard a lot of people talking about Harry Potter and I saw few of the movies. So then I decided to give the book a try.

Boy was I wrong! I guess you can say it can be a book for younger readers but it's so not boring! It got me hooked from the start and I loved every moment of it! It was kind of like a journey. The way it was written, it felt like you were taking this journey with Harry. And it was an awesome experience!

Usually when I expect a lot from a book it lets me down. I expected a lot from this book too because I've heard so much good things about it. But it definitely didn't let me down. I love books that are written so beautifully that it feels like you are taking the journey with the characters. This was one of those books. I wanted to keep reading it. And when I was not reading the book, it was always on my mind. What happens next? Is it Snape? Oh I so wanna read it right now! (And I've seen the movies!! I knew the story and I was still asking myself these questions!)

When you've seen the movie/TV show then you can't help but compare it with the book. It always happens to me. It also happened to me with The Vampire Diaries. But it didn't happen to me with this book. While reading I totally forgot the movie. And I totally got absorbed in the book.

I adored the characters! They were believable. They had their qualities and their flaws. They were characters that some of us could relate too. They were not the boring old 'perfect' characters and they made mistakes too. Which I loved about them!

The whole plot was amazing! Which I'm pretty sure you all have already heard before. I honestly loved the story. Every moment was enjoyable. The language and expressions used made you feel what the characters felt. There was humour which made me laugh out loud at times and then I got a few 'Are you crazy or something?' stares from people. They just don't understand how it is when you are s absorbed in the book that it feels like you're actually living it!

Now I cannot wait to read the next one!! I can't wait to go on the next journey with Harry, Hermoine and Ron. And lets not forget Neville!

Ratings: 10/10

Note: I've just recently started rating and this is the first book I've rated. So you won't see any ratings in the previous book reviews.

What do you think of the new header??

Hey guys! I put up a new header. It's a mix-up of book covers. Some of which I have read, others which I want to read. What do you think of it??
And I have a new co-blogger. You must've read her post below. I think she's a good addition to the blog as her writing style is pretty different from mine which will give you guys something new to read.

Book Review-Angel Chronicles, Vol. 3 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Author: Nancy Holder
Summary: For Buffy the Vampire Slayer, birthdays aren't all parties and cake-hers tend to involve a life-or-death battle with a big evil. Her seventeenth celebration isn't an exception. While Buffy's friends organize a festive gathering in honour of the special day, Spike and Drusilla are planning their own surprise party for the Slayer-with a devastating demon as the grand finale.
But a passionate night with Angel changes everything. Suddenly, Buffy must deal with two forms of ultimate evil: the almost-indestructible Judge-and the legendary vampire Angelus, who is determined to exact his special brand of revenge on the young woman who showed him true love.


My Rating: 8/10

My Thoughts: I finished reading this book yesterday but I wasn't really in the review writing mood so I decided to write today. First some background info on the book: this book is based on the TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It includes the story of three of the episodes, S2EP13 Surprise, S2EP14 Innocence and S2EP17 Passion. I haven't seen these episodes but I have seen a few episodes from season 1. I like it but since I have to watch it online I don't get much time so I haven't been able to watch it that much.

I loved this book! I loved how it was written. I loved how it focussed on all of the characters and their thoughts and I pretty much liked all the characters. It is a series novel but it seemed like a stand-alone in the beginning. You didn't have to know about the previous stuff and the characters were introduced pretty well. But I hated that it ended leaving the reader with so many questions. I loved the story but I was so sad and angry when I read the ending. I'm not sure if I can find the next novel in these series because I bought this one at a clearance sale and we don't get many books where I live. Especially the old ones. So to be clear it's so not a stand-alone novel.

It was written really really well. I loved how Nancy wrote about good and bad Angel. Their different thoughts. Their different feelings. Everything was written fabulously! In the beginning, Angel's passion and love for Buffy reminded me of Stefan's unforbidden love for Elena. But this is very different. I loved the story. And I especially loved the twist of *spoiler alert* Angel turning bad!

I would probably give it 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for people who like to read YA super-natural books. I think it's more suitable for ages 16 and above.

Holidays!!

Yaay! My school's out till Friday because of dengue fever spreading in our area. I'm going to go back to school on Monday and that means I have 5 free days!! Yippeee!! =D
The first thing I'm going to do is finish reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer and post up it's review. I already have my holidays planned out =P Tomorrow I'm going to finish all my homework. Then I'm going to be free on Thursday so I'll chillax! On Friday I invited my friend over and we're going to watch movies. On Saturday I'm going to watch TVD 3 & Secret Circle. And then on Sunday I'm going to study for the on-spot assessment.
Yeah, I'm a real planner. But usally things don't go as I plan them =/
What are you guys up to?

Back To School =/

My school started this week and 10th grade's so hard! I've hardly gotten any time to do anything else besides studying. I didn't even check my mail (which I check everyday). And there was no way I could blog. I didn't even finish reading the book (Angel Chronicles Vol. 3 Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and it's not even that long. But everyday I get loads on homework plus we'll be having our on-spot assessments, probably next week, so I'm preparing for that. I only get 6 hours of sleep and I'm usually so tired ~_~ 
I really love how the above picture represents me so much! That is exactly how I am. Right down to the i-pod! (I can't do my Math HW without listening to songs). Except that I don't keep Red Bull & Candy with me. But I always do have something to drink and a little snack by my side while studying.
I've set up a kind of schedule. I would study for the whole week except Saturday. Saturday will be 'my day' and I'll do the pleasure stuff on that day. Which includes blogging, reading (novels), surfing the net, watching movies, watching TVD (which is starting next week! So yaay!! =D) & Teen Wolf, and, well doing something for myself. Taking a break from studying and.........well.......living!
Did your school start yet? Do you guys have any kind of schedule like mine? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

 Summary: Four teenagers on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found. THE DARK INSIDE is a stunning, cinematic thriller: 28 DAYS LATER meets THE ROAD.

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…. Now it’s our turn.

Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even worse is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, hooking on to weakness, turning the unwary into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason: His mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground. Everyone he knows is killed.

Aries: A school bus, an aftershock and a crash. Pulled out of the wreckage by a mysterious stranger, she’s about to discover a world changed forever.

Clementine: An emergency meeting at the town hall that descends into murderous chaos. Outside the rest of their community encircle with weapons. How can those you trust turn into savage strangers?

Michael: A brutal road rage incident. When the police arrive on the scene they gun down the guilty and turn on the by-standing crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad?

OK, so how awesome does that book sound?! Totally awesome!! Right? I so want to read it! I read it's amazing review on my favorite book-blog, Bloggers [heart] Books, and now I wanna read it desperately!! This book has been officially added to my "Books I'm Dying To Read" list! If you wanna read the review click here.
What books do YOU have on your "Books I'm Dying To Read" list? Tell me in the comments below!

Areeba's Blog

My friend started a WordPress site and it's pretty amazing! I would like you all to please visit her site. Click here to visit. Or copy and paste this url: (http://areebaasad.wordpress.com/) in your address box.

The Strangest Taxi Ride Ever!

A short story by Areeba Asad

I had the strangest taxi ride last Saturday night. I believe, it is always difficult to get a cab, but when it’s raining its all the more tough. I left the house in such a rush. Holding the umbrella over myself, dumping keys in my purse and checking my phone every next two minutes for another text from Allen, I desperately waited for a cab. When I saw one, I hailed passionately and prayed it will take me in because only I knew how important it was for me to see Allen. The cab stopped, I opened the door and without any pause out of habit, I told him where to take me before jumping in. the cab driver drove the car and I assumed that he agreed. 

I felt really weird all day. It was raining since night and the sound of ambulance sirens coming from far across the highway made me really sad. I kept checking my weather update on my phone, which suggested heavy rainfall is expected in the next 12 hours or so. I kept myself sorting out files in my room until I got a text from a really old friend of mine, Allen. He’s the kind of friend you haven’t met in a while but for some odd reason you feel really close to. I knew he needed me. So I told myself that whatever misunderstandings were in past, this is the time when he needs me, and I should be there. 

I felt very uncomfortably impatient in the taxi; I kept looking outside if there was any shortcut to this traffic jam, if this rain will ever stop. Also, this cab driver’s silence was killing me. No greetings, no directions. To break the silence, I asked, 

‘Sir is there a shortcut to this route that you know?’

He didn’t answered I asked again assuming he didn’t hear me the first time. Without saying a word, he turned the cab left in such a speed that the cab almost slipped and got to some random street.
This taxi ride became quiet intense. It started to get really dark outside. I could see no other car on the street. I had no idea where we were. I started to freak out I hadn’t even seen this guys face before sitting. But I was in such a rush, so how could I. I had a million things going on my mind- Allen. In how much pain he must be at such a sudden death of his both parents in a car accident. Would he want to see me? 

This cab driver was scaring me to death. I asked 

‘Where are we? This is not where I’m supposed to go.’

He didn’t answer. 

I shouted ‘stop the car!’

He drove me at the same pace. I tried to check my door and windows but they were centrally locked. He slowed the car and turned back looking at me. I screamed! Half of his was badly burnt. I haven’t seen anything as scary as him in my life.
I didn’t know what he wanted. Slowing the car even more, he unlocked the door and as soon as he did that, I opened the door and jumped out. Fell down, struggled to get up quickly and ran away. I was all wet in deadly rain, crying out loud, walking in the middle of nowhere. I kept turning my head back to see if he came again. As I walked on the sideway, I felt scared, unsafe and cold. I kept wondering what he wanted. Why didn’t he follow me? What could have happened? 

Even though, all this still remains a mystery, but it really was a strange taxi ride. 

This is a story written by my friend Areeba Asad who is also a blogger. I really loved this story so I wanted to share it with you guys. Please visit Areeba's site by clicking here. It's really amazing and I'm pretty sure you'll love it! 
If any of you guys want your short story, poem, art work or photoshop edits displayed on this site then please contact me at smashing.hira@gmail.com
Please leave your views on the story in the comments section below!

Can You? - a poem by Honey

"Can you see what I am, which most people think I'm not,

Can you see what I once was, something I mostly forgot.

Can you see beyond my mask, beyond the millions of lies,

Can you see into my soul, the only place where one cries.

Can you see a scared little boy, haunted by memories,

Can you see my look on life is one of fear, not ease.

Can you see my heart breaking, whenever you walk away,

Can you hear my silent plea, wishing you would stay.

No.

You cannot."

 

This is a poem written by my cousin Honey (obviously this is his nick-name). I think it's really amazing and I wanted to share it with you guys. Please leave your views about the poem below in the comments section.
If any of you want your poem or short stories etc to be displayed on this site please contact me at smashing.hira@gmail.com

My Playlist:

 I love music. I listen to everything, from pop to rock to classical etc. If I like something I'll listen to it whatever the genre. These days I'm listening to ballads a lot. I'm not in a sad mood. I just have phases in which I'm addicted to one genre and I mostly listen to that genre. Right now my playlist includes these songs (I've linked every song name with a youtube link to that song):

• Never Say Never by The Fray
• My Immortal by Evanescence
• Resolution by Nick Lachey
• Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
• I Was Wrong by Sleeperstar
• All I Need by Within Temptation
• Last Kiss by Taylor Swift
• Middle of Nowhere by Selena Gomez & The Scene
• Beautiful by Nick Lachey
• My Dilemma by Selena Gomez & The Scene
• White Horse by Taylor Swift

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

What songs do you have on your playlist? Let me know in the comments below!